After a little bit of research, I’ve found a way to make my hair look healthier, spend less money, go green in the shower, and get rid of most of the flakes on my scalp. Baking soda as shampoo and apple cider vinegar as conditioner have given me much more manageable hair (and I don’t have to wash it as often or spend so much time styling it). This is also known as the “no ‘poo” method.
Using the baking soda and vinegar may not instantly give incredible results, but be patient. I personally noticed after one wash, but I’d been using sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner for a while, so that could have contributed to it.
So here’s how you do it:
Mix one to two tablespoons of baking soda with enough water to make a paste. You may want to use more or less baking soda depending on how thick your hair is. The amount’s pretty flexible and I rarely measure mine out.
You’ll apply this to your roots like shampoo, then gently massage your scalp. If you have long hair, it may feel dry and tangled at this point. Don’t freak out. Wash the baking soda mixture out.
Pour a mixture of half apple cider vinegar, half water on your hair once all the baking soda’s out. I usually take a 16 oz. water bottle and mix it up in there. I don’t use the whole bottle on my hair, and it’s about shoulder-length. Maybe a third of the bottle will work, but again, the amount you use is completely up to you.
At this point, your hair may start to feel slippery and silky again. Breathe a sigh of relief and leave the vinegar-water mixture on for a few minutes, just like you would with conditioner.
Rinse the vinegar out with cool water.
Don’t go anywhere until your hair is completely dry, otherwise the vinegar smell will follow you wherever you go. Once your hair is dry, however, the smell should be completely gone. Styling products are optional, but I still like using an argan oil treatment and root booster.
Photo credit: javcon117
